Car accident
Nine People Dead in Overloaded SUV Tragic Crash in Florida
None of 9 killed in SUV wreck were using 'Safety Equipment,
In a devastating accident that has left the community in mourning, nine people, including six children, lost their lives when an SUV plunged into a canal in western Palm Beach County, Florida, on Monday evening. The crash, which occurred just before 7:30 p.m. on Hatton Highway near Belle Glade, is one of the deadliest in recent memory for the area.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office reported that the 2023 Ford Explorer, driven by 56-year-old Pamela Wiggins, was heading westbound on Hatton Highway when it approached a southbound curve. Wiggins lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road, strike a guardrail, and flip over into a canal. Tragically, none of the ten occupants in the vehicle were using safety equipment at the time of the crash.
The victims have been identified as Pamela Wiggins, who would have celebrated her 57th birthday the following day; Leiana Alyse Hall, 30; Anyia Monique Lee Tucker, 21; and six children: Michael Anthony Hall Jr., 14; Imani Andre Ajani Hall, 8; Kamdien Edwards, 5; Yasire Smith, 5; Ziaire Mack, 3; and Naleia Tucker, 1. The lone survivor, 26-year-old Jorden Rickey Hall, was transported to St. Mary's Medical Center with serious injuries.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue responded swiftly to the scene. When emergency crews arrived, they found the SUV upside down and partially submerged in the canal. Captain Tom Reyes of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue described the scene as one of the most challenging he has encountered in his 20-year career.
Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining five succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has announced that it will be assisting the sheriff's office with the investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
The crash report highlighted that none of the occupants were using seat belts or child restraint devices, which are mandated by Florida law. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children, with nearly 50% of child passenger fatalities in 2022 involving unrestrained children.
Eric Dumbaugh, the associate director of the Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety at Florida Atlantic University, noted that crashes on rural roads are not uncommon. He explained that drivers often encounter unexpected sharp turns on these roads, which can lead to accidents, especially at night.
The community has been left reeling from the tragedy. In a statement, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office expressed their condolences, saying, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this heartbreaking incident."
The deceased passengers were from various locations, including Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Chesapeake, Virginia, indicating that some of the victims were visiting the area. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of using safety equipment while traveling. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, hoping to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again in the future.
